British plan for military strikes on Iran over nuclear enrichment programme

British armed forces are stepping up preparations for potential military strikes on Iran as the country triples its nuclear enrichment programme.

Iran is tripling its nuclear enrichment programme (Picture: AP)

Pressure is being increased by Britain after it emerged the middle-eastern state is making more nuclear material in centrifuges inside a heavily fortified military base in the city of Qom.

In anticipation of a potential attack, military planners are reported to be examining where best to deploy Royal Navy ships and submarines over the coming months as part of what would be an air- and sea-launched campaign led by the US.

The RAF could also provide air-to-air refuelling and some surveillance capability, should it be required.

A Foreign Office official told Metro: âIranâs nuclear plans give the lie to its claim that its programme is purely for peaceful purposes â its plans to triple its 20 per cent enrichment capacity and move it to Qom do not have a plausible peaceful explanation. If Iran gets nuclear weapons it could destroy the prospects for peace in the Middle East.

âThere will be a real risk of a nuclear arms race and further conflict throughout the region.

âThe international system for preventing nuclear proliferation â the non-proliferation treaty â could unravel and the dangers we and other countries face will multiply.â

The Ministry of Defence has played down strike preparations, saying they have been in place for some time.

It said they were secondary to a dual track strategy of pressure and engagement for a ânegotiated solutionâ in order to avoid a regional conflict.

However, one insider told Metro: âWe are worried about Iranâs nuclear programme.â

The International Atomic Energy Agency is due to publish a report into Iranâs nuclear plans next week.